Sadly, the riots that shook Britain are a testament to the moral degradation of society and a frightening insight into the sad state of our world today (Britain's summer of discontent simmers, but what have we learned? August 19).
We have created an anything-goes-culture where success is measured purely by the number of zeroes we accumulate in our bank balance. We have completely abdicated personal responsibility and values in a quest for the shortest and fastest path to wealth, with the least amount of effort.
Nikhil Vaish, New York
A welcome, costly lesson on money
I found Charles Whebell piece On the Money: Overlooking overdraft protection proves costly (Aug 20) about his financial and bank problems amusing.
Just wanted to say it struck a chord.
Steven Burns, Abu Dhabi
The challenges in workforce hiring
I feel for Manar Al Hinai's friends and I understand why the government wants to implement Emiratisation (Time to get tough and ensure success of Emiratisation, August 20).
I also believe it's just unfair to generalise and stereotype. I have many Emirati friends who are among the most hard working people I know. The example you share shows how unprofessional some businesses can be.
But this debate goes beyond Emiratisation.
For instance, it's extremely hard for an African to find a job, even if he or she is qualified. For instance, a friend of mine who is African recently applied for a position. She was rejected because she was not a Westerner and they wanted someone who speaks perfect English.
Yet she had all the qualifications and her English was perfect. She had a first class honours degree, spoke more than two languages fluently, including Arabic, and had some experience.
This example, along with your article, shows how many people prefer to hire not based on qualification but by nationality.
It's sad to see that people decide to go abroad because she cannot find an opportunity in her own country.
Sara Mahmoud, Abu Dhabi
With respect, the average salary for graduates in law, accountancy and engineering in countries like Australia is less than Dh10,000 a month for the first two years of their career working more than 10 hours daily.
By contrast, Higher Colleges of Technology graduates with only certificates in soft skills demand more than that.
I would like to recruit Emiratis but the challenges are many; they need to start at an entry salary.
The local employment practices of multiple allowances also needs to go; one salary and that is it. That is what the job is worth, no matter who does it.
SD, Abu Dhabi
Better solutions for online business
It is troubling that few financial institutions in the UAE offer genuinely attractive e-commerce solutions, as the alternatives are difficult for local business (UAE missing out on billion-dollar e-commerce trading, August 20).
I know this from recent experience, such as suffering ridiculously high fees to buy things, a practice that is completely prohibitive for small business.
Additionally, high inter-bank transfers fees further defeat e-commerce initiatives.
The UAE is a long way behind the rest of the world on this matter.
Name withheld upon request
Clothing boxes are misleading
The entire exercise of accepting or collecting used clothes, unwanted items or anything and then selling them to make money is not only wrong, but misleading (From Dubai recycling bin to African market stall, August 18).
The biggest crime against society is betraying the faith of donors who give away their used things out of concern for the hapless and in the name of good deeds.
If logistical costs need to be covered then the company engaged in such activities should transparently project itself as a buyer of used goods. Everybody in this world has to make a living for which money is required.
Amit Bhattacharjie, Dubai
More than strikes are testing India
Has India sent a national test-match squad, or some fledgling school team, to play test-cricket with England?
Judging by the poor showing on India's side in all departments of the game - from batting, bowling all the way to fielding - it would seem that way.
Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai
